Sunday, February 5, 2023

New Friends, New Windows and New.........

 January 26 - February 5, 2023
Tombstone, Arizona


Allen Street, Tombstone

Winter is cold. Hmmmm. 

Having lived in California for the first 60 years of my life I'm not unfamiliar with the fickleness of "normal" weather. "Wait five minutes" is the typical response when one complains about the current conditions. In recent years it's the hotter temps that come earlier and stay longer that are the main concern. Here we're told that this is the coldest winter in years - as the monsoons brought more water than usual during the summer. We've also had the dryest monsoon season and the warmest winter during our short residency :-)

Many people think we moved our home base to southeastern Arizona for warmer winters, but really we were looking for colder winters and cooler summers. We got our wish this year with our average lows at 30 and average highs in the mid 50's. Brrrr for us! 

Some of the grands are enjoying snowy winters - they all think it's great fun!

Reese is loving Virginia.

Penelope rocking her hot pink snow boots.

Ezra is becoming a real mountain kid, appreciating a backyard full of fun.

Where cold temps are not appreciated is coming through the house windows. The single-panes were installed in this house in 1968, and did not keep out the outside air and dirt. They whistled and rattled in the wind. They were also ugly! Replacing them was a must-do, delayed by our huge rebuild last year, but this year's cold made them a priority.

Out with the old dining room window.

The old living room window - stuffed with pieces of cardboard to keep them from rattling.


Very happy with the new dining room view.

The new living room window turns the wall into a piece of art. 

The old awnings on the back windows looked dated and were noisy in the wind.

So much better!

The supervisors are very helpful.

The Home Depot (not usually my go-to, but we got a good deal and an install date that wasn't sooooo far off) crew do a great job. Every window looks like it's been here forever - inside and out. They take one 20 minute break, and get all eight windows done in under eight hours. The windows themselves are beautiful, and wow what a difference!! The house stays warmer and we don't know it's windy until we look outside. 

I enjoy another afternoon gathering of crafty RVers in Whetstone. Just hanging out, working individual projects. I play with some more needle felting, liking it enough to plan a shopping trip for supplies in the near future. It's also a lot of fun getting to know other folks in the area.

I added a few felted flowers to my favorite hat.

A couple bookmarks for me and my BFF.

In the category of "how were we not already friends?", Jim and Barb are at the top of the list. We read the same blogs, and the same blogs read us. When Jim B asked (not for the first time, so my fault!) us last summer if we were reading their blog I promised I'd check them out. Great musings and pictorial of their travels and South Dakota digs, I was hooked. And seeing nearly all of my blog roll represented in the comments confirms I'm definitely late to the party!

Fortunately this late connection is in time for their recent visit to our area.  Arrangements are made for a Saturday lunch in Tucson. El Charro is always a yummy choice with some local history thrown in. Fortunately it's also a Barb favorite! Even though the gem show started that day, we're seated quickly. I was unaware there are people who aren't Mexican food fans, but learned that Jim is one of these rare breeds. We like him anyway. 

In fact we like them both a lot, and have a wonderful time getting to know these new friends.

We have gorgeous skies, and one day of unusual clouds surrounding the entire valley. Looking like they were "brushed" downward, some bring a couple hours of light rain our way. 

360 degrees of these unique cloud swipes.

The most exciting "new" wraps up the post with our ninth grand baby due in August! Henry will have a little sister, and they will be our first two-gender-grands family. We're so happy for Chris and Megan - and for us of course!!

Happy Valentine's Day









25 comments:

  1. Congrats on your upcoming Grand-Girl!
    Jim doesn't like Mexican food !!?? I've started following their blog as many of the blogs I follow follow them. It's a nice way to meet bloggers with similar likes.
    Great deal to have the new windows! We also have a mid-century house with single pane windows. I consider them part of our air-conditioning system, but when it's cold ... At least your grands are having fun n the cold!

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    1. With your nice year-round temps I can understand the additional AC from your older windows :-))))

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  2. PS - How do you and Bill like the 'pro Bowl Games' format? It's football not 'The hunger Games' !!! Grrr ...

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    1. Since the pro-bowl always seemed a waste of energy to me, I actually enjoyed the fun competition this year. Bill had mixed feelings I think.

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  3. I LOVE your new windows Jodee! And the view from the dining room is gorgeous. I have seen lots of felting booths at the markets, but your hat is the cutest I have ever seen. Those pink boots do rock and congratulations on number nine! Kids and snow just seem to go together…all smiles! Great fun meeting Jim and Barb and El Charro was a great choice…it never disappoints. Joe and I are looking forward to seeing you, Bill and Tessa soon.

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    1. Thanks Gay! We're sure happy with the windows. You'll have to come down and check them out in person :-)) Needle felting is fun and easy for little projects like that. My friend is an amazing artist and her pieces are beautiful - maybe some day!

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  4. Your new windows are beautiful! And even better, you're cozier now and don't have to listen to the wind rattling the panes. How fun that you're taking time for crafting projects. I've always loved getting together with friends for art and craft projects. I'm hoping I'll find some new friends in North Carolina who want to get together and play. Love your felted hat! And how exciting that you have a grand baby on the way to add to the tribe! :-))

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    1. I imagine your cute little community will have several opportunities for gathering. If they don't already have one for art I'm sure you can start one! After the boxes are unpacked of course :-)) We're so excited to be welcoming a new grand this year.

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  5. Great to finally meet you two after all these years. Although Mexican is not my favorite a shrimp or fish taco is generally tasty!

    You are going to love those new windows.

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    1. Your tacos did look very tasty as did that Mexican beer :-)) We're already noticing a big difference with these windows. We had a great time meeting you two and look forward to seeing you again down the road!

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  6. Those new windows are beautiful! Love the photo of the "supervisors!" I too didn't follow Jim and Barb's blog but do now and am sorry we missed them as they traveled through our area.

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    1. Those supervisors were so useful :-) You'll appreciate all the work those two have done and continue to do on their digs in South Dakota - they make me as tired as you and Michael!!

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  7. Love the new windows, the dining room view they frame is so peaceful and lovely. Here's a little secret, Mexican is not my favorite cuisine either! There are a few things I like so I can always enjoy a meal out with friends, but its not my "go to".Looking forward to seeing you soon!

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    1. I didn't think our views could get better, but we're sure happy with what the new windows have added! Well I never would have guessed your secret given how many times we've all been out for Mexican food - but I can see how most menus will have something for everyone :-) Soon, soon!!!!

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  8. No wind around the windows sounds like the perfect fix. It has been a cold winter and, of course, windy. I love your felted hat!

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    1. Thanks Gaelyn! The windows are making a real difference in these cold winds!

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  9. LOVE the stage coach even if I know it’s staged. Such nostalgia.
    I think the fact is it’s going to get more “est” as we move deeper into climate change – hottest, driest, coldest, wettest. And we still aren’t understanding that we are continuing to cause this. We haven't even started to put the brakes on to even slow it down, let alone "fix" it. Or is it too late??
    So glad to hear how happy you are with your windows. Good job for Home Depot. Hope it didn’t cost the bank.
    Now THAT is a HAT!! And Wow! 9 Grandchildren. Congratulations!!

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    1. We can only hope that younger and smarter folks are going to figure out how we live on the planet without destroying it. The windows weren't cheap for sure, but it feels like money well spent.

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  10. I’ll bet you’re loving the new windows! I’ve got to try that Mexican place! Yes that Jim is an odd one for sure. But it’s a package deal. What can you do?!

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    1. LOL, yep get one of 'em you get them both :-)))) There are several locations in Tucson but the one on Court is the original and therefore the most authentic!

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  11. Thanks, we're excited for sure!

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  12. The first thing we did when we moved in to our BC house was replace the sliding glass doors. We were so pleased with the contractor and Home Depot that we had them do our windows, too. So, so much nicer. Can't wait to see yours! Beautiful views out those new windows. The supervisors are slacking on the job!! How nice that you were able to meet Jim and Barb. Such fun people. Jim's blog is always a hoot. Love the grands enjoying the winter weather. Those pink boots and raincoat are too cute.

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    1. Our slider was the only window that was dual pane and is now the only exterior door/window not replaced! I think we need some of those pink boots :-))

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  13. Please remember to show me your felting work. This is new too me. The flowers on your hat are adorable. Love the bookmarks!!!! Congrats on #9!

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